I would like to know which fire department had the largest fleet of apparatus on Ford C chassis. I think Chicago had over 60; can anyone confirm that?

Tulsa bought 44 of them from 1959 through 1972. In January of 1973 (before the '73 ALF Pioneer II pumpers began to arrive), all 31 engine companies were assigned Ford tilt-cab rigs. Of the 12 truck companies at the time, 9 were using Ford C apparatus. The TFD's Ford C fleet included:

All but two had the 534-ci "Super Duty" V8 engine and air brakes. The aerials had canopy cabs and automatic transmissions; all others had standard cabs and manuals. The largest single order was for eight Boardman pumpers in 1967.

« Last Edit: December 09, 2007, 03:02:33 PM by boardmansteve »

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the nozzleman

At one point and time all fourteen of the Lincoln Fire and Rescue Department's engine companies were Ford C's the last five were finally retired in 2006 with the last serving as Reserve Engine 21 till September of 2006 when the last of the new E One Typhoons was finally placed in service. .

This picture shows the Reserve Engine 21 parked on the apron at Station 1

I would like to know which fire department had the largest fleet of apparatus on Ford C chassis. I think Chicago had over 60; can anyone confirm that?

Hey, guys...any further response to my request? I know that some cities (Vancouver, Dallas, Jacksonville, Chicago), counties (Riverside), and states (CDF, OES) had some large fleets of Ford C rigs. Help!

In the DCFD we had C models in Youngs, Sutphens, Wards and E-Ones. Gas and Diesel. I don't think it's a stretch to say the C model, which was a Mack product at one time, was probably the most widely used Cab and chasis in the histry of the US fire service.

A picture of that cab with "Mack" on the front of a pumper is a rare find.

Hello, some quick and dirty research leads me to say DCFD had a total of 43 (42 engines, 1 rescue). 1st 1 in 1971, last in 1989.If you like, I can break it down by make and also provide my references.Warren Jenkins

Hello, some quick and dirty research leads me to say DCFD had a total of 43 (42 engines, 1 rescue). 1st 1 in 1971, last in 1989.If you like, I can break it down by make and also provide my references.Warren Jenkins

WarrenGood job if you did that by serial number and not company issue. Hand me downs and moving a piece from wagon back to pumper could inflate that list.

I forgot to add that Bruco Squad wagon you mentioned . I got to drive it as a reserve a few times.

1986-89 20 Ford/E-1 enginesAll engines had "pillbox" crew enclosure.70's rig info from 1984 + 1987 FFA roster books, 80's rig info from Nov.-Dec. 1993 issue of FAJ.May be off by 1 or 2 because of wrecks or other circumstances, but I think this is dang close.Warren Jenkins

I would like to know which fire department had the largest fleet of apparatus on Ford C chassis. I think Chicago had over 60; can anyone confirm that?

Hey, guys...any further response to my request? I know that some cities (Vancouver, Dallas, Jacksonville, Chicago), counties (Riverside), and states (CDF, OES) had some large fleets of Ford C rigs. Help!

Quick check with some published works reveal at least 83 engines for Chicago, along with 5 ladders and a snorkel. Boston had at least 25, most 1980's E-1 engines, but also 2 E-1 rescues, a Providence bodied rescue, and several C/Sutphen hose wagons that were later converted to special units. There was also a C/Maynard hose wagon that got toasted in a fire.Warren Jenkins

Although not in any one place, The US Air Force had over 250 Ford C Chassied Engines, First was the WLF P-8 500/600/55 4x4's, WLF P-12 750/300/55, FTI P-12D 750/500?/55 and the Pierce P-8D 500/600/55 4X4.

Although not in any one place, The US Air Force had over 250 Ford C Chassied Engines, First was the WLF P-8 500/600/55 4x4's, WLF P-12 750/300/55, FTI P-12D 750/500?/55 and the Pierce P-8D 500/600/55 4X4.

I hadn't considered the military fleet...thanks! Any idea on the exact total?

Below is Truck 7 which I drove from 1980-82. 1968 Howe 1000 GPM, 300 water, 75' Grove Ladder. It ran as an aerial truck primarily and a back up engine for our district as needed. It was sold to North Vernon IN in 1982 and they ran it untill 1998 when it was retired.